Hot Web Trailer: ‘Casualties Of The Gridiron’

What used to be shrugged off as “getting your bell rung” has become a national medical and legal issue. Now GQ Digital Network is set to premiere an eight-episode documentary series that looks at retired NFL players who struggle with complications of concussions suffered during their playing days. Casualties Of The Gridiron, from Condé Nast Entertainment and GQ, comes on the heels of last month’s PBS Frontline docu on the hot-button topic. Here’s a look at the series that premieres November 18:

5 Comments

Anonymous • on Nov 8, 2013 2:04 pm

It’s inevitable that tackle football will be outlawed nationwide. And it should be. It’s not just pros but college and high school players are being severely injured all the time kids are being paralyzed and killed. The game will have to become flag football just like we played in intramurals in college it was fun the defender had to rip off both flags and the game required just as much skill. I loved it because I was fast and I could usually beat my man and get open and I had good hands. No need for tackle football even with the new helmets still too much risk to the rest of the body especially knees and the spine.

FTCS • on Nov 8, 2013 2:04 pm

Sorry, Anonymous…do not agree.

First, this is mostly focused on football, but when very early symptoms became visible studies were begun on three sports for starters. They were football, boxing (of course) and soccer. Soccer surprised me, but just the head shots and head blocks do cause ‘concussion like’ problems.

Second, there is far too much money in sports especially the NFL. Not to be political, but the NFL saying only recently that this is a problem after denying it for the last generation of question marks…is not unlike Obama saying , “I’m sorry to the many millions who have lost their health insurance when I PROMISED this would not happen to them”.

So far, the court did not approve the 750 million settlement which covers only about 4000 players. Many were left out, and the NFL will pay lots more.

Bottom line is that if athletes knowingly and willingly put their life at risk whether on a race track going bumper to bumper at 200 mph to X Games to bobsledding at 100 mph or skiing downhill at extraordinarily high speeds or whatever…injury and death will be a part of the process. I realize the NFL (football) has been less forthcoming about the extent of this, but no one playing in the NFL has not been aware of the huge physical risks involved playing the game. The extent of these risks is certainly expanding, however.

The waiver of liability in the future will be part of the football player’s contracts, although I would imagine disability and health coverage will increase.

Far too much money on the line for big time high risk sports to stop. Plus, football is America’s game, and most folks watching continue to cringe while enjoying the violence.

FTCS the part that’s missing in your analysis is that we’re going to reach a point soon where no parent in their right mind will let their kid play. The pipeline of players will eventually dry up if they don’t change the sport.

FTCS • on Nov 8, 2013 2:04 pm

@Brian
I agree that the field of potential players will diminish, but there will still be enough who will take the chance especially if it is a possibility for a better life from their perspective.

The point I was responding to was the suggested eventual end to tackle football which I do not believe is on the table in any way.

Rick B. • on Nov 8, 2013 2:04 pm

HBO did a documentary many years ago, directed by Bill Couturie, called DISPOSABLE HEROES, that left an indelible impression on me. I have never forgotten the sequence of Jim Otto deliberately and painfully getting out of bed in the morning or the paraplegic lineman wishing his toddler son would grow up to play the game. As I remember, every single player in the film wouldn’t trade the hardships for the experiences of the Football. HBO, please send Couturie back to the league and see what he comes back with.